[The pivot-shift test in relation to hip position and lower leg rotation. A clinical analysis]

In a prospective clinical study conducted on 50 patients with isolated insufficiency of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), we investigated the triggering of pivot shift as a function of the position of the hip joint and the rotational position of lower leg; the results were compared with those yielded by the Lachman test. The pivot shift phenomenon was found to be more readily triggered when the hip was abducted, and especially when the investigator had specified external rotation of the lower leg at the same time. Our results show that this modification of the classic pivot shift test can fill a diagnostic gap in the clinical investigation. The pivot shift test with hip abduction and external rotation of the lower leg is a valuable alternative test for the diagnosis of ACL insufficiency.